religious or political groups in Palestine (1)

Marks Gospel referes to a number of political or religious groups in Palasitine

THE SADDUCEES

most of them were priests and concened with the temple and the worship inside the temple.

Little intrest in other jews

conservative approach on religion, resisting change.

rejected any beliefs towards the new laws or Torah

did not believe in life after death or the MESSIAH!!!

THE SANHEDRIN

supreme council of the jews

consisted mainly of sadducces

most important member the high priest

over saw the running of the temple

also law court

seen to support romans and watch out for rebelion (jesus rebelled!!!)

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religious or political groups in Palestine (2)

THE PHARISES

they were in every town and village

helped in the synagogues

foward looking and often highly respected by other jews

believe that the Kingdom of God would come when everyone kepted a Torah.

they observed the Torah very strictly

waited for the decendant of David to come and be the Messah

didnt like the Romans but would not use violence as a way of overthrowing them

THE SCRIBES

experts in the law or Torah

created many extra rules

many of them were pharises and some rabbis.

REMEMBER THE SANHEDINS AND THE PHARISEES

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jesus baptism

3 things happen at the baptism and their sybolism.

dove appears - holy spirit/ peace

heavens open- presence of God

a voice from heaven- confirmation that jesus is the son of God "you are my son, of whom i am well pleased."

significance for Jesus

told he is the son of god

start of his ministry

see's himself as the messiah but knows form the begging that he will be a suffring messiah.

significance for christians

baptism shows Jesus humility (didnt need to be cleared from sins)

shows authory as Son of God

Baptism is a way of entering the church as well as being cleared from sins.

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the temptation

after the baptism he was driven in the desert for 40 days where he was tested by saten.

what happens in the desert and the sybolism

40 days- long period of time

with wild beast and the devel- they are trying to lead him astray but she shows strength and is not tempted.

angels- messengers of God and they show God support.

what this means for jesus

he is being tested

when he retuns he will be ready to start his mission knowing God helped him though the tempation.

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Caesarea Phllippi

overveiw of the story

Jesus and the deciples are in the village of Caesarea Philippi and Jesus asks them who do people say I am? "Some say you are John the baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." Jesus then asked them who they think he is Peter replys "you are christ" Jesus warned them not to tell anyone. He began to teach that the son of man must suffer and die and rise agin. Peter rebukes this and jesus said "get behind me saten" "you do not have in mind the things of God but the things of man"

significance

first recored recognition of Jesus as the Messiah

jesus predicts that he will suffer and die then be reserected

importance for jesus

"watershed' moment- from this point on it's all about his inevitable death.

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Caesarea Philippi (2)

importance for deciples

understood that jesus is the Messiah

they learn that being a deciple means that they have to be willing to follow the same path of sacrificing as suffering

imortance for christians

chirst sufferring and death is part of Gods plan. jesus must suffer. this is the good news of the Gospel. suffering has a purpose.

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the transfiguration

overveiw

6 days after Caesarea Philippi jesus took Peter, James and John (inner circle) to a high mountain. Jesus transfigered before them. HIs clothes turned whiter they could have been bleached. Then Elijah and Moses appeared. Peter said "rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Lets put up three shelters- one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. Then a cloud appeared and surrounded them and a voice came and said "this is my son, whom I love, listen to him" then the disciples looked arround and didn't see anyone but jesus.

main points

Moses= the law- Elijah = the prophets - when they are with Jesus they are confirming that he is the son of God

Mountains - where God speaks to his people in the Old Testerment

cloud- presence of God

Messianic Secret- doesn't want them to tell anyone that he is the messiah

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the transfiguration (2)

significance for jesus

reasures him that he is on the right path- even if it leads to death.

significance for Peter, James and John

at his confession Peter tries to persuade Jesus that suffering wasn't neccessary. He now realises that whatever happens Jesus is the Messaih

voice "listen to him"- whatever Jesus willl say about suffering won't be easy to understand but they have to listen

significance for christians

reminds us that suffering and glory go hand in hand. There's always hope even when things look bad.

impotant - you may be asked to debate the most important moment in jesus' life the transfigeration along with baptism, crucifixtion and reserection are good ones to pick